celestial body

noun

variants or less commonly celestial object

plural celestial bodies also celestial objects

: an aggregation of matter in the universe (such as a planet, star, or nebula) that can be considered as a single unit (as for astronomical study)

But many scientists began seriously rethinking their notions of the solar system in 1992, when we identified a small celestial body—just a few hundred kilometers across—sited farther from the sun than any of the known planets.

—Jane X. Luu et al.

As the observer looks at a star or other celestial body its light rays pass through a single point on the earth's surface.

—Dutton's Navigation and Piloting, 14th edition

A black hole forms when a star or other celestial object collapses under the pull of its own gravity.

—Mary Durack Miller

called also heavenly body

Examples of celestial body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Webb has also shed new light on nearby celestial bodies, such as the Trappist-1 planetary system just 41 light-years away. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 July 2024

The full scope of the game encompasses five celestial bodies, including the planets of Cantonica, Akiva, Tatooine, and Kijimi, all of which have been introduced in previous Star Wars lore, as well as Toshara, an entirely new moon created by the devs. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024

From the audacity and assertive energy of Mars to the nurturing and intuitive qualities of the Moon, each planet and celestial body carries a distinct energy that can ultimately impact our individual experiences and collective approach. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024

In a system of two celestial bodies, such a prediction can readily be made. —Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr., Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above